EDAM has been working with our partners, including the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities, to secure authors and seek hearings on legislative proposals to establish funding levels for a number of key programs administered by the DEED.

On Monday, February 18, the Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy Committee heard Senator Paul Utke’s bill, Senate File 1076, which sets funding levels for the Minnesota Investment Fund, Job Creation Fund and Redevelopment Program. At the Senate Jobs Committee hearing, Sam Richie of the Fryberger law firm testified on behalf of EDAM in support of Senate File 1076.

The bill seeks $10,500,000 in each year of the biennium for the Minnesota Investment Fund, $10,500,000 in each year of the biennium for the Job Creation Fund and $6,000,000 of the biennium for the Redevelopment Program.

A somewhat different approach was taken on the House side. A separate bill was introduced establishing the funding level for each of the programs.

House File 1185 was authored by Representative Anne Claflin (DFL-So. St. Paul). This is the bill that sets the funding level at $10,500,000 for each year of the biennium for the Minnesota Job Creation Fund. Representative Claflin’s bill was co-authored by Representative Bob Gunther, Representative Hodan Hassan, Representative Rob Ecklund, Representative Tim Mahoney, Representative Barb Haley, Representative Mike Sundin and Representative Robert Bierman.

House File 1184 was authored by Representative Erin Koegel (DFL-Spring Lake Park). This is the bill which establishes a $6,000,000 funding level for the Redevelopment Grant and Demolition Loan Program. This bill had essentially the same set of co-authors as Representative Claflin’s bill.

House File 1186 was authored by Representative Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids). This is the bill which establishes a funding level of $10,500,000 in each year of the biennium for the Minnesota Investment Fund. Again, the co-authors for Representative Stephenson’s bill were virtually the same as for the other two provisions.

With the Senate Committee hearing Senator Utke’s bill this week, we expect an early hearing on the House Files – perhaps even next week. We will keep you informed of our progress on these issues.